WINGATE, NC- The No. 2 seed Augusta University volleyball team defeated No. 7 seed Tusculum 3-1 to advance to the NCAA Southeast region semifinals on Saturday evening.  The Jaguars will take on PBC Conference foe Lander at 5:00 pm Saturday Dec. 3 in Wingate, NC inside Cuddy Arena.

Augusta is now 28–4, with their last loss coming almost 2 months ago to Lander on October 7. AU is on a 14-game win streak headed into the highly-touted matchup against the No. 3 seed Bearcats. Augusta has won the last three of four games against Lander, with the last five set decision coming in the PBC Tournament championship match. 




After trading points in the first part of the first set, I would put together a 2420 lead looking to close out the set. However, the pioneers would not be denied, making a furious comeback to take the first set 26-24.

The short break between sets allowed Augusta to regroup improving on their .146 hitting percentage from the first set to a .250 hitting percentage in the second set. The Jaguars held Tusculum to a .089 hitting percentage in the second stanza, cruising to a 25-19 set victory to even the score at one set apiece. 

Both teams were knotted at 7–7 when three consecutive kills from Jazmyn Wheeler sparked a huge Augusta offensive run. AU led 20-15 when a service error from Rylie Harris gave the Pioneers a glimmer of hope. Tusculum used a 5–0 run to help tie the game at 23–23, forcing and Augusta timeout. Two errors from Tusculum gifted AU the third set. 

After battling through the fourth and final set, Augusta was down 20-17, before rattling off for straight points, and eventually taking the 25-22. 

Augusta was paced by Sophia Kruczko's 16 kills and 4 blocks. Two-time PBC Player of the Year Jazmyn Wheeler had 15 kills and 20 digs. Defensively, Dariana Luna lead with 24 digs while Riley Harris had 17.

Setter Janvier Buggs dished a match-high 38 digs to go along with an impressive 23 digs.